Chicken Soup for the Seoul

One special Korean dish not to me missed while visiting Seoul or anywhere on the peninsula is samgyetang. A healthful boiling joyful boiling pot of goodness, this Korean version of chicken soup has a small chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng (insam), dates (daechu, or jujebes), chestnuts and other wild herbs.

On a chilly fall night, Korean food warms the belly and the soul, and this dish is no exception. Samgyetang is difficult to find in North America, so take advantage of it during your travel to Korea.

Two places I recommend:

Hangbang Samgyetang: in Mapo-gu, Gusu-dong, tel. 02-323-9933. There is also a branch in Bonsa, Gyeonggi-do 02-465-3999. They use local organic (well being) ingredients.

Toseokcheon: A classic near Gyeongbukgung. Large jars of massive ginseng greet you. 02-737-7444.

if you could smell it, you'd be this happy too. Samgyetang is the best!